Vastu-shastra (Vol. I: Hindu Science of Architecture; Vol. II: Hindu Canons of Iconography and Painting) v1.c5.4

v1.c5.4

With this little digression let me now come to my introduction to this volume, in broad outlines. As already indicated that my Ph.D. thesis. ‘A Study of Bhoja’s Samarāṅgaṇa-Sūtradhāra’—a treatise on Hindu Science of Architecture has formed the nucleus of this Volume. I really wanted to extend my presentation in the light of at least six representative texts but due to paucity of space and patience and necessary resources, I could extend only the first part to my satisfaction. To some extent a good deal has been added in practically all parts. The antiquity of town-planning, the rise of Indian towns, villages etc. (vide part II), recast of palace architecture along with its accessory buildings and pleasure-devices and the cognate, state buildings are altogether a new introduction. Similarly an outline history of Hindu Temple in its different styles is also a fulfilment of characteristic design to co-relate the manuals and the monuments both.